Bledsoe’s Doubleback Wine Project launched (link to photos)
While Vintage Walla Walla was in full swing this weekend, the big story is the launch of Walla Walla native and retired NFL player, Drew Bledsoe’s exciting new winery project.
The official winery name, Doubleback, was unveiled at the very exclusive kick off party, at Bledsoe’s newly-planted McQueen Vineyard, hosted by Drew, Maura and his winemaking consultant Chris Figgins of Leonetti.
Paul Gregutt has been hinting for weeks that Bledsoe was getting ready for the official announcement. So while there are some major wine media in town checking out Vintage, they are on the list (and it has been a very hush hush list) to hang out with our local wine celebrities and Drew’s friends from Bend, Napa and elsewhere.
For a first person account of the event with photos, visit Graze Catering’s blog.
I would like to thank all who braved the high winds our Launch Party for making the effort to come see us. It was a “memomrable” event. No one who attended will easily forget the hurricane force winds we endured.
We are very excited about our new project. It has been great spending more time back in my beautiful hometown and reconnecting with old friends.
Maura and I are very privileged to have Chris Figgins as our consulting winemaker. I could not dream of a better choice. Thanks Chris for agreeing to work with us.
We are gong to do our very best to be a positive influence in the most exciting wine region in the World. We’re also gong to make every effort to produce a Cabernet that our family can be proud of for years to come.
Go Blue Devils!!
-Drew
Good luck with your new venture – can’t wait to see it. My wife and I live in The Dalles but have been coming to WW for years and decided to buy a second home there in 2004. Some people thought we were nuts but they didn’t know about the wine!
We never get tired of coming to WW and have a small plane so we can fly there to Martin Field and we have a small car parked there for transportation. We consider ourselves very lucky.
Again, best of luck with your new winery. Craig
Hi Drew, it’s great to see a fellow Coug moving into the wine business! Congratulations on the big event, are you still hiring people? I am ready for a wonderful, big cab and would love to be involved.
Thanks!
Congradulations on your commitment to excellence.
As many know..it is not an easy business.
Should you and Maura ever like to visit the Willamette Valley and tour the “Live” certified and great “biodynamic” vineyards with the growers & taste their wines…please don’t hesitate to contact us. Would love to show you our Pinot country.
Best Regards
Fred ~
A Nose For Wine
http://www.anoseforwine.com
I think that the combination of Drew & Chris will be great. We get over to WW from Seattle often. It’s where I spent several years “growing up” with all the wheat, peas, onions and strawberries. And now the grapes. Best of luck. I can’t wait to taste the first vintage of your efforts. Joe